Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has signed a new contract at the club, extending his stay at Villa Park for a further four years.
The boyhood Aston Villa fan was appointed as the club’s manager in October 2018, guiding the club to promotion to the Premier League in his first season in charge following victory over Derby County in the Championship play-off final this past May.
The club have made a solid start to life back in the top flight and currently sit 15th in the table following Monday night’s 2-0 victory over Newcastle United.
Smith has now been rewarded with his performances with a new four-year deal, and the former Brentford boss admits he is delighted to commit his long-term future to the club.
“(I am) really pleased. Obviously it’s a club that I’ve got a strong affection for,” he told Villa’s website.
“I joined last year with a remit to try and get us promoted to the Premier League.
“We managed to do it last season and obviously that remit changes now to more of the longer term and making sure that we try and get Aston Villa back to where it’s been in previous years.”
Villa will be hoping to move further clear of the Premier League’s bottom three this weekend, when they travel to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.